After Dating the President O, I Turned Into a Puppy-Like Lover - Chapter 48

After finishing her talk with Zhou Tingchen, Dan Sirou walked back home.

It was already past eight-thirty. Most households had finished their reunion dinners, and the small plaza was livelier than before.

The dim streetlights stretched shadows long and thin, creating the illusion of more people than there were.

Dan Sirou spotted Fu Jiu squeezed onto the plaza’s only stone bench, her hands propping her cheeks as she sat deep in thought.

Among the crowd, the tall, slender figure she sought was nowhere to be seen.

“Xiao Jiu,” Dan Sirou called softly.

Fu Jiu looked up. Her face, once clouded with melancholy, lit up with a warm smile. “Sister Xiao Rou.”

“Where’s Jiang He?” Dan Sirou asked, scanning the area again but finding no trace of her.

“She,” Fu Jiu hesitated, then admitted honestly, “She went home.”

“Why did she leave?” Dan Sirou pressed.

“She said someone came, and she felt embarrassed to stay and disturb you,” Fu Jiu explained.

“I see.” Dan Sirou nodded thoughtfully.

Her gaze lingered on the quiet road leading to the neighborhood gate, illuminated by the streetlights. She imagined the tall, solitary figure of Jiang He walking away, her shadow stretched long and lonely beneath the yellow glow.

Her eyes flickered, and it took her a long moment to pull herself back from her thoughts.

Jiang He had already returned home. She washed up early and climbed into bed.

The vast villa felt emptier than ever. Only her room was lit; the rest lay in darkness.

Though the house was far from the bustling city, even here the booming fireworks of the holiday could faintly be heard.

Outside, the sky blossomed with dazzling fireworks. Jiang He lay unmoved, staring at the ceiling.

She was questioning herself, was liking Dan Sirou a mistake?

Dan Sirou was so admired, surrounded by people who liked her.

That boy, aside from Jiang He’s personal dislike was objectively excellent. Good family background, good looks, a high Alpha rank that matched any Omega. And most importantly, Dan Sirou liked him. Even if he had entanglements with other Omegas, she was willing to forgive.

A bond forged since childhood was not something outsiders could easily break.

Perhaps Dan Sirou’s apparent harmony with her was never genuine. Hadn’t she disliked her from the start? Only later, after everything that happened, especially the pheromone riot had guilt softened her attitude. Dan Sirou herself had admitted as much.

Jiang He was proud by nature.

When she ended their agreement, she had hoped Dan Sirou’s care for her was sincere, not forced by obligation.

She didn’t want Dan Sirou to maintain a façade of warmth out of gratitude, binding her with invisible chains. If Dan Sirou wasn’t happy, Jiang He didn’t want it either.

So, after seeing things more clearly, she decided to give up pursuing her.

Aimlessly, Jiang He scrolled through her phone, stopping at her contacts.

With a hard resolve, she added Dan Sirou to her blacklist.

Their few chat records disappeared. From now on, she would no longer disturb her.

Alright. Lights off. Sleep.

It was just past ten.

Jiang He, a night owl, had never gone to bed this early. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind circling the same thought.

Her heart ached with restless longing.

She told herself she couldn’t give in. At least wait until morning—otherwise, it would be humiliating.

In the dark, staring at the ceiling, she finally broke.

She sat up, turned on the light, and quietly removed Dan Sirou from the blacklist.

It wasn’t what she truly wanted, her hand had trembled, betraying her heart.

Forget it. Let it stay. At least it’s something to hold onto.

Sleep. Just sleep.

After the New Year, only a few days of holiday remained before the new semester began.

By early March, winter’s frost had melted away. The earth revived, branches sprouted fresh leaves, and tender green buds dotted the trees.

The campus brimmed with the fragrance of flowers, filling the air with freshness that lifted spirits all day long.

Since New Year’s Eve, Dan Sirou hadn’t seen Jiang He.

Sometimes she thought of reaching out, but hesitation always stopped her. Soon, with the new semester approaching, she grew busy and had no time for such thoughts.

That year, the National Games were to be held in Dongcheng. It was also the centennial of diplomatic ties between Huaguo and Liguo, making the event especially significant. As the host city, Dongcheng would form a temporary volunteer organization, drawing from universities and select citizens.

Qingyu High School was allotted fifteen slots. Candidates were required to have good poise, communication skills, and meet height requirements: girls no shorter than 162 cm, boys no shorter than 174 cm.

At home, Dan Sirou received the notice. The list had to be submitted by Monday for official registration, a tight deadline.

She closed her laptop, picked up her phone, her lashes casting shadows over her cheeks as her slender fingers tapped the screen. After about fifteen minutes, she called Fu Jiu.

“Xiao Rou-jie, it’s so late. What’s up?” Fu Jiu mumbled sleepily.

“There’s an opportunity to sign up as a volunteer for the National Games. Do you and Jiang He want to join?” Dan Sirou asked.

“Volunteers?” Fu Jiu squinted. “Not me. I’m too lazy.”

Knowing her temperament, Dan Sirou smiled helplessly. “Then ask Jiang He.”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” Fu Jiu asked curiously.

Dan Sirou fell silent, biting her lip lightly before sighing. “She hasn’t replied to my messages.”

“What?” Fu Jiu burst into laughter, incredulous. “She dares not reply to you?”

Dan Sirou frowned slightly, puzzled by Fu Jiu’s words.

Realizing she had nearly exposed her cousin, Fu Jiu quickly backtracked: “Oh, I mean, how dare she ignore the president when you had something important to say! Wait, let me call and bombard her with messages.”

“Don’t,” Dan Sirou stopped her, pausing before adding softly, “I’ll speak to her myself tomorrow.”

Fu Jiu didn’t press further. “Alright then.”

That Monday, after the routine assembly ended, Jiang He stood with two dormmates. They had left later than most, and by the time they exited, the hall was nearly empty.

Her roommates were deep in gossip.

“Next week it’s our school’s turn for the ability assessment. Nervous?”

“Next week? I thought it was scheduled around midterms.”

“No, it’s next week. The testing center already posted the notice online.”

“What? That soon?”

“Ha! You keep eating nonstop at night, but both Alphas and Omegas have to undergo pheromone screening. If your pheromone concentration doesn’t meet the threshold, some top AO academies will reject you outright. Even perfect grades won’t matter.”

“Seriously? What does eating at night have to do with it? My rank isn’t low. If anyone has a problem, it won’t be me.”

“You don’t know? High body fat can affect something, I forget the exact term. Anyway, it’s not just about rank. If your pheromone values drop too low, you risk reverse-differentiating into a Beta. Some AO academies are strict to ensure quality students.”

“Is that so? But what’s so great about AO schools anyway?”

“If you get in, it’s a golden ticket. Graduates walk straight into top careers.”

Jiang He kept her hands in her pockets, eyes lowered, listening quietly.

Suddenly, the chatter stopped. She looked up, confused, just as her roommates’ startled voices aligned with the sight of a familiar, exquisite face.

“The president!”

Dan Sirou nodded lightly. Simply standing there, she was as striking as a blooming flower. The two Alphas, unused to such close proximity, froze, their breath caught.

The atmosphere grew so still that even a pin drop would have been heard.

Dan Sirou glanced at them briefly, then turned her gaze to Jiang He.

Unlike her roommates, who spoke with flustered admiration, Jiang He remained composed. Her voice was cool, deliberately blending her natural aloofness into her tone. “President.”

Dan Sirou acknowledged her with the same nod she had given the others, then walked forward.

But instead of passing by, she stopped directly in front of Jiang He, tilting her head slightly to meet her eyes. “Do you have a moment? I need to speak with you.”

Her roommates gaped at the sudden closeness.

The campus in March was filled with the fragrance of flowers. As the girl approached, Jiang He found herself strangely attuned, though moments ago her nose was full of gardenia, now she could distinctly recognize Dan Sirou’s unique floral scent.

Soft, warm, intoxicating. Her heartbeat quickened.

“Alright.” Jiang He’s throat felt dry, her composure slipping.

Dan Sirou led the way. Jiang He followed at a measured distance, hands tucked into her jacket pockets. To outsiders, it looked like the president casually speaking with any student.

“Did you see the message I sent you yesterday?” Dan Sirou asked, turning back slightly, her tone calm.

Jiang He shook her head.

A flicker of guilt stirred in her chest. She hadn’t expected Dan Sirou to seek her out.

Without dwelling on it, Dan Sirou continued gently, “Our school has volunteer slots for the National Games. Do you want to sign up?”

She paused, then added, “Participants will receive a city-level certificate of honor. It’s a great addition to your résumé, and you’ll have the chance to meet renowned athletes up close. I heard from Xiao Jiu that your favorite sports star, Deng Lin, will be there.”

The moment she received the authority to allocate slots, Dan Sirou had thought of Jiang He. Her image, demeanor, and qualifications fit the criteria perfectly. Both publicly and privately, she wanted Jiang He to have this opportunity.

Almost there.